Five candidates look to replace Winder as Salt Lake County sheriff

by Daniel Woodruff

Five candidates look to replace Winder as Salt Lake County sheriff (Photo: KUTV)

(KUTV) There'll soon be a new sheriff in town.

Salt Lake County Democrats will meet Saturday morning to pick a replacement for Jim Winder, who resigned to become Moab’s police chief. There are five candidates, all of whom have extensive law enforcement experience.

“They’re all extremely well qualified,” said Quang Dang, Salt Lake County Democratic Party chairman.

Winder stepped down last month for several reasons including tension with other officials over the homeless crisis.

That issue is something the new sheriff will have to tackle immediately.

Steve Anjewierden, a veteran of the sheriff's office, is one of the candidates. Regarding the homeless issue, he said he would focus on treatment.

“I think it's important when people come to the Salt Lake County Jail that they have an opportunity to break that cycle,” Anjewierden said.

Fred Ross, the UTA Police chief, is also running. He wants to tackle the divide between the people and the police.

“We have to get outside of our comfort zone and we have to get out and engage,” Ross said.

Unified Police Lt. Ken Hansen said if he wins, he would work on jail overcrowding, a common issue during Winder’s tenure.

Unified Police Sgt. Levi Hughes, another candidate, said he plans to tackle the vicious cycle of drug abuse and violence. He said the problems facing the community are all solvable.

Finally, Rosie Rivera, who currently works as a deputy chief for the Unified Police Department, said she wants to implement more community policing.

“I think every single candidate that comes forth will have their own vision,” said Dang.

Whoever wins will have to start thinking right away about 2018. 2News has learned Unified Police Chief Deputy Justin Hoyal is already looking at running as a Republican.

Democrats say they're not worried.

“I would suggest that any one of our candidates could probably win in 2018,” said Dang.